She turns around and heads in my direction—the new guy hot on her heels. She chews on her bottom lip, worry lines deepening with every step she takes. Good. She should be worried. If she’s expecting a warm welcome, she won’t find it.
The guy has a blank expression. I can’t get a read on him, but he stays close to Isa. Almost like he wants to protect her. His hands are tatted and he’s dressed in dark denim jeans and a black hoodie with the words Star Valley, Arizona, printed on the back.
It clicks.
This dude is from her old Pack. He’s clearly a shifter based on the way he moves but he’s not a wolf. Is he the ex? The ex that doesn’t look like an ex anymore?
They’re almost to us when Des asks, “What’s the plan?”
I shake my head. I don’t know. She’s coming over to us but she’s with him. They clearly have some sort of relationship with each other and I have no fucking clue what’s going on. Was I some side piece of hers? She said in the beginning she didn’t want anything serious. We didn’t use labels. I never called her my girlfriend, but fuck, she was my girl. She’d been my girl.
None of it matters now. “Stick to the plan. Ice her out. I’m done.”
They nod and we each grab our bags, heading straight toward them. Isa’s steps falter and her skin pales, highlighting the sharp angles of her cheekbones. Has she lost more weight?
When we’re right in front of them she says, “Rafe?” My name on her lips is whisper-soft and it does something to my wolf, twisting my insides around, but I don’t respond. I don’t react. Instead, I push right between her and her new guy and head straight to the doors. My steps never slow.
She gasps before saying a little bit louder, “Rafael?”
I keep going. Then the asshole with her calls out, “Bro, what’s your problem?”
I whirl on him. Dropping my backpack on the pavement, I close the distance between us and get right in his face. He holds his ground and fury flashes in his eyes as a red sheen drops over them. Fucking Bouda. Great.
Isa sucks in a breath and takes several steps back. She’s as white as a sheet but I can’t find it in me to fucking care.
“I don’t know who the fuck you think you are, but this is my school. My territory. Don’t talk to me again. Ever. We clear.”
His lips peel back, exposing his teeth, but he doesn’t answer. Meanwhile Isa’s all but hyperventilating beside us as she watches the exchange.
Slowly, so fucking slow, I turn my head to glare at her. “The same goes for you. Don’t speak to me. We’re not friends. We’re not anything. I don’t fraternize with whores.” She jerks back as if I’ve slapped her and the next thing I know a fist smashes into my face and I stumble back a few steps. Des and Jordy rush up beside me and I shake my head, blinking hard to clear my vision as it meets the angry red glare of the guy she came with.
His nostrils flare and his hands clench into tight fists at his sides as though he’s barely keeping himself from shifting and lunging for my throat. I’d like to see the fucker try.
I spit and my blood smacks the pavement. “You’re gonna regret that.”
“Don’t call her that again. Are we clear?” His tone is hard, his eyes murderous.
I can’t help it. I laugh. “Whatever you say, cabrón. Just know she was underneath me two weeks ago. Don’t feel special.”
“You worthless sonovabitch. Do you have any idea what she’s—”
“Josué, don’t!” she cries out and we both turn to see her tear-filled gaze. “Please. Don’t.”
Guilt tears into me at the sight of those tears before I push it away. No way am I going to feel sorry for her. She’s got Josué now. That’s this fucker’s name. So not the ex.
His eyes soften as they drink her in before moving toward her. He cups the back of her neck and draws her face toward his chest. She goes willingly, wrapping her arms round his waist and fuck, it’s like a punch to the gut. Seeing that, seeing her in his arms hurts more than that fucker’s punch to my face ever could.
I don’t say anything. I have no fucking words. I turn around and head back to the entrance, refusing to look back.
“Watch your back,” Des warns him before moving in step beside me.
“What the hell was that?” Jordy mutters when we’re out of hearing distance from the happy couple.
I don’t answer him.
When Sabrina Hampton walks past me, rather than ignoring her like I usually would, I call her over. Her eyes are hesitant, but they brighten when I give her a smile. She slows her steps, waiting for me.
“Hey, Rafe,” she purrs.
I see the confusion in my boys’ gazes but I ignore them. “Ready to be out of the dog house?” I ask her.
She pouts. “That was really mean of you.”
“Yeah. Well, maybe later I’ll make it up to you. What do you say?”
Lust darkens her eyes and she nods her head in agreement. “Mmmmm. I’d love to.” She settles in beside me. “Are you and the little do-gooder over?”
I shake my head, then look down at her and give her a wolfish grin. “Nothing to be over,” I tell her. “Shit never even started.”
30 Isabella
If Josué wasn’t with me, I wouldn’t have survived today. He follows me to all my classes. A few girls give him interested looks but he ignores them, his full attention on me.
Rafael is a no-show first period. A part
